Articulated tv platform

ABSTRACT

Articulated platform means for allowing adjustable uniplanar orientation of electrical apparatus mounted thereon, while avoiding cable wrap-up and the like. A first and second arm are mutually hinged at a first extremity thereof for rotation about a first axis, the first arm being longer than the second and being hingeable at a second extremity thereof about a second axis parallel to and displaced from the first. A platform is rotatably mounted upon the second arm for rotation about a third axis of rotation parallel to and intermediate the said first and second axes of rotation. Slip ring means, at a respective one of the second and third axes and mutually intercabled, allow interconnecting of an electrical power source and a coaxial antenna feedline with a TV set mounted on the platform.

United States Patent Lale [ 5] Oct. 24, 1972 [54] ARTICULATED TVPLATFORM [72] Inventor: Walter G. Lale, Downey, Calif.

[22] Filed: Aug. 24, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 174,371

[52] US. Cl ..339/5 P, 339/119 R [51] Int. Cl. ..H0lr 39/10 [58] Fieldof Search ..339/5, 7, 8, 119; 248/425, 248/430 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 282,521 8/1883 Holtzer ..339/8 A X 2,469,8845/1949 Masone ..339/5 P X 3,479,632 11/1969 Galles .."...339/5 R PrimaryExaminer-Richard E. Moore Attorney-Rolf M. Pitts [57] ABSTRACTArticulated platform means for allowing adjustable uniplanar orientationof electrical apparatus mounted thereon, while avoiding cable wrap-upand the like. A first and second arm are mutually hinged at a firstextremity thereof for rotation about a first axis, the first arm beinglonger than the second and being hingeable at a second extremity thereofabout a second axis parallel to and displaced from the first. A platformis rotatably mounted upon the second arm for rotation about a third axisof rotation parallel to and intermediate the said first and second axesof rotation. Slip ring means, at a respective one of the second andthird axes and mutually intercabled, allow interconnecting of anelectrical power source and a coaxial antenna feedline with a TV setmounted on the platform.

7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENIEU I972 3.701.073

sum 1 OF 3 INVENTOR WAL 75/? 6, 415

ATTORNEY INVENTOR 14 4475? 611415 ATTORNEY PATENTEUum 24 1912 3.701. 073 sum 3 or 3 IN VENTOR WAZ TE? 6. 1141.5

ATTORNEY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the current social era ofaffluence, hotel and motel accommodations are expected to includeappointments of convenience for the enjoyment of the transientpopulation catered-to. Such accommodations and appointments may includetelevision sets and, in areas of difficult TV reception, may alsoinclude cable television (CATV) coaxial feedlines.

The convenient use of such equipment for maximum viewing pleasure andenjoyment involves movement of the TV set about the room and changingthe angular orientation of the set so as to face the viewer from aposition in which he desires to view it. Such movement, however, mayinadvertently result in damage to the coaxial feedline. Also, the mobilerequirement of the TV set requires the use of a TV dolly. Further, suchmobile character of the TV set (and dolly) lends itself tomisappropriation or theft from the premises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION By means of the concept of the subjectinvention, there is provided platform means for allowing adjustableuniplanar orientation of electrical apparatus mounted thereon, whileavoiding cable wrap-up and the like. In a preferred embodiment thereofthere is provided a first platform adapted to be rotatably mounted at anedge thereof for rotation about a first axis perpendicular to the planeof the platform. A second platform, shorter than the first, is rotatablymounted upon and parallel to the first platform for rotation about asecond axis parallel to the first and spaced apart therefrom. A thirdplatform is rotatably mounted upon and parallel to the second platformfor rotation about a third axis parallel to the first and second axes ofrotation.

There is also provided at least one plurality of mutually concentricelectrical slip ring means, concentric with one of the second and thirdaxes of rotation, for providing a plurality of electrical circuitconnections between the two mutually rotatable platforms associated withsuch one axis of rotation.

By means of such arrangement, the coaxial antenna feedline of atelevision set mounted thereon may be led out by an internallyconcentric slip ring pair of said plurality of slip ring means and atwo-wire power cable may be connected to the television set by means ofan externally concentric second slip ring pair without imposing limitson the uniplanar positioning and orientation of the television set.

Accordingly, an object of the subject invention is to providearticulated platform means for adjustable uniplanar orientation ofelectrical apparatus.

Another object is to provide rotatable platform means for mountingelectrical apparatus while avoiding cable wrap-up.

A further object is to provide means for conveniently adjusting both theposition and orientation'of electrically powered display apparatus.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description, taken together with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thedevice of the invention, having a television set mounted thereon in anexemplary application thereof.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device of the invention showing a firstorientation thereof (in solid line) and a second orientation (inphantom);

FIG. 3 is a view in elevation of one of the orientations of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view in elevation and in partial section, showing in greaterdetail electromechanical design features of the arrangement of FIG. 3;and

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective, and partially exploded, showing infurther detail the arrangement of the mutually concentric slip ringmeans of FIG. 4.

In the drawings, like reference characters refer to like parts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, thereis illustrated in perspective a view of the device of the invention andhaving a television receiving set mounted thereon in one exemplaryapplication thereof. There is provided a first and lower platform 11 inhorizontal orientation and hinged or otherwise adapted at one extremitythereof for rotation about a vertical axis 12. Such hinged arrangementmay be mounted upon a wall or other vertical surface of suitablestructural integrity and strength. A second and upper intermediatehorizontal platform 13, shorter than the first, is rotatably mountedupon and parallel to first platform 11 for rotation about a secondvertical axis 14 on first platform 11 and spaced apart from first axis.12, as is more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. There is also includedin FIG. I an upper or third horizontal platform 15 rotatably mountedupon and parallel to second platform 13 for rotation about a thirdvertical axis 16 on second platform 13.

Suitable bearing means are included at each of the rotatable mountingson axes 12, 14 and 16. As shown in FIG. 3, hinged means 17 includesbearings 18A and 188 for rotation about axis 12; annular bearingassembly 19 providing rotation of element 13 about axis 14 relative toelement 11; and annular bearing assembly 20 providing rotation ofelement 15 about axis 16 relative to element 13. Also included in FIG. 3are an emergent or terminal section of a coaxial cable 21 from platform11 for interconnecting an antenna terminal of a television receiver (tobe installed on third platform 15) and a cable antenna or the like, anda power cable 22 for interconnecting the power terminals of thetelevision receiver and a conventional house current supply or otherspecified power source. Such emergent positions of cables 21 and 22 arepreferably as near radially of axis 12 as is convenient.

The plan view of FIG. 2 shows two exemplary coplanar (horizon plans)positions of adjustment of the device of FIG. 1, one position andorientation shown in solid line and the other shown in phantom line. Thesolid line plan view, the corresponding elevation view for which isshown in FIG. 3, is adapted to locating a television set within anaccommodating aperture cut out in a wall, which television set may berotated (by means of rotatable third platform 15) as to allowing viewingthereof from a selected angle of view in either of two rooms on oppositesides of the wall which includes such aperture. Additionally, firstplatform 11 may be swung out from the wall and second platform 13rotated relative to platform 11 to provide a selected one of a varietyof positions within a room, the orientation of the TV set in suchposition being selected by rotation of platform 15 (as indicated by thearrangement in phantom line in FIG. 2).

Because upper platform 15 is substantially centrally mounted forrotation about axis 16, the peripheral loading about bearing is somewhateven or equal. However, intermediate platform 13 is mounted near one endthereof (or non-centrally) for rotation about axis 14 in order'to effectenhanced translation of axis 16 relative to axis 14. Such off-centermounted (particularly under the load of a television set or other highdensity equipment mounted on upper platform 15) exerts a considerableunevenness in the peripheral load distribution about bearing 19, as towarrant the addition of a ball bearing 23 near the opposite end ofintermediate platform 13 and resting upon lower platform 11.

The mutually concentric slip ring means, located centrally of at leastone of the annular bearing structures l9 and 20 for interconnectingcables 21 and 22 with a television set mounted on rotatable platform 15,are shown more particularly in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated in vertical section and infuller detail the bearing arrangement and slip ring means of the deviceof FIG. 3. Each of bearings 19 and 20 is similarly constructed andtherefore a description of only bearing 19 will suffice for anunderstanding of the construction of both. As shown, bearing 19 is anannular arrangement, externally concentric of axis 14 and comprised ofan upper shell 24 and lower shell 25 fastened to a respective upper andlower platform l3 and 11, respectively, and contoured to enclose a raceof ball bearings 26. A radially internal lip 27 of annular shell 25 isfolded around a lesser internal lip 28 of upper shell 24, as to restrainthe bearing components in assembly, checking relative motion radially oraxially between shells 24 and 25.

Internally concentrically of annular bearing assembly '19 is a pair ofmutually concentric slip rings 29 and 30, insulatingly mounted uponplatform 11 and insulated from each other. Connected in electric circuitwith each of slip rings 29 and 30 is a respective conductor of insulatedpower cable 22, which is preferably strung internally of hinged platformor arm 11. Mechanically mounted on intermediate platform 13 andextending through an aperture 31 therein are two rollers 32 and 33, eachof which is adapted to be electrically connected to a respective powerterminal of a two-terminal power input of the television set, as well asbeing electrically insulated from each other and from platform 13. Eachof rollers 32 and 33 rests upon a respective one of slip rings 29 and 30and in electrical contact therewith, whereby electrical power transfermay be made between mutually rotating platforms 11 and 13 without dangerof cable wrap-up and the like.

Auxiliary bearing assembly 23 is seen, from FIG. 4, to comprise a largeball bearing 34 restrained by a bearing cap 35 extending from platform13 (above ball bearing 34) to and girdling a lesser zone below theequatorial zone of ball bearing 34.

' cal center post 39 which is electrically insulated from outer metallicrim 38 of disc 36. A firstslip ring 40 is in electrical contact with theannular groove of lower disc 37 and electrically and mechanicallycoupled to center post 39 of upper disc 36. A circuit post 41, fixedlymechanically mounted upon and insulated from lower platform 11, ismechanically and electrically coupled to -a second slip ring 42 which isarranged in electrical circuit with the annular groove of upper disc 36.A first metal tab 43 on an upper edge of the metallic rim of upperdisc36 and center post 39 form a first pair of terminals of the fourterminal rotating joint, while post 41 and a second metal tab 44 on alower edge of the metallic rim of lower disc 37 form a second pair ofterminals of the four terminal (two wire) rotating joint. Thus, the twodisc assemblies employing discs 36 and 37 comprise a rotating jointsuitable as a transfer point for a coaxial cable.

Accordingly, the arrangement of FIG. 5 is seen to comprise a four-linerotating transfer joint or junction box for accommodating a coaxialcable 21 and a twowire electrical power line 22. Although sucharrangement has been described in terms of an installation about axis 14for intercabling between lower platform 11 and intermediate platform 13,it is to be distinctly understood that a substantially like arrangementmay be made about axis 16 for intercabling between intermediate platform13 and upper platform 15, and a coax line 51 and a two terminal powerline 52 employed in platform 13 to interconnect the corresponding coaxand power terminals of the rotating joint of intermediate platform 13for axis 14 with the corresponding coax and power terminals of therotating joint of intermediate platform 13 for axis 16. The coax andpower terminals of the rotating joint of upper platform 15 for axis 16may then be directly connected to the television set to be serviced,thereby forming a direct circuit connection to the terminus of lines 21and 22 of FIG. 3.

In normal use of the above-described arrangement, rotation of either orboth of platforms 15 and 13, relative to the other and relative toplatform 1 1, will not interfere with the external electrical power orantenna circuit connections of a television set installed atop upperplatform 15, nor allow cable wrap-up of such external wiring as a resultof such rotation. However, such combinations of rotations may be used tochange the position and orientation of such equipment.

Although the device of the invention has been described in terms of itsapplicability to television receiver viewing, it is to be understoodthat it is not so limited and that such inventive concept is equallyapplicable to use with television cameras as in a monitored surviellancesystem.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, itis to be clearly understood that'the same is by way of illustration andexample only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit andscope of this invention being limited only by the terms of the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. Articulated platform means for allowing adjustable uniplanar angularand positional orientation of electrical apparatus mounted thereon whileavoiding cable wrap-up and the like, comprising a first platformrotatably mounted at an edge thereof for rotation about a first axisperpendicular to the plane of said platform;

a second platform rotatably mounted upon and parallel to said firstplatform for rotation about a second axis parallel to said first axisand spaced apart therefrom;

a third platform rotatably mounted upon and parallel to said secondplatform for rotation about a third axis parallel to said first andsecond axes of rotation;

at least one plurality of mutually concentric electrical slip ringmeans, concentric with one of said second and third axes of rotation forproviding a plurality of electrical circuit connections between the twomutually rotatable platforms associated with said axis of rotation.

2. The device of claim 1 in which said third axis of rotation is spacedapart from said second axis.

3. The device of claim 1 in which said third axis is spaced apart fromsaid second axis by an amount less than the spacing between said firstand second axes.

4. The device of claim 1 in which said plurality of mutually concentricslip ring means comprises a first pair of slip ring connections for acoaxial cable circuit, and

a second pair of mutually concentric slip ring connections externallyconcentric of said first pair for a two-wire power cable circuit.

5. The device of claim 4 in which said first pair of slip ringconnections comprises a first and second mutually concentric and axiallyspaced disc assembly, a respective one fixedly mounted on each of saidtwo mutually rotatable platforms,

each said disc assembly including an outer metallic rim having anannular groove in the circumferential edge thereof and at least one ofthem has a metallic center post electrically isolated from said outermetallic rim,

a first slip ring in electrical circuit with the annular groove of afirst one of said disc assemblies and electrically and mechanicallyconnected to the center post of said second disc assembly,

a circuit post fixedly mechanically mounted upon that platform to whichsaid first one of said two disc assemblies is fixedly mounted, and

a second slip ring in electric circuit with the annular groove in saidsecond disc assembly and electrically and mechanically fastened to saidcircuit post.

6. The device of claim 1 in which there is provided a like plurality ofmutually concentric electrical slip ring means for each of said secondand third axis of rotation, said pluralities being interconnected inelectrical circuit.

7. Articulated platform means for mounting electrical equipment andcomprising first and second platforms, mutually parallel and pivotallyjoined near first extremities thereof,

about a first axis,

sald second platform being shorter than said first platform, said firstplatform being adapted to be hingedly mounted at a second extremitythereof about a second axis parallel to and displaced from said firstaxis;

a platform rotatably mounted upon said second platform upon a third axisof rotation parallel to and intermediate of said first two axes ofrotation,

first and second slip ring means at a respective one each of said firstand third axes and intercabled in electrical circuit for allowingintercabling of an electrical power source and a coaxial antennafeedline with a TV set mounted on said third platform.

1. Articulated platform means for allowing adjustable uniplanar angularand positional orientation of electrical apparatus mounted thereon whileavoiding cable wrap-up and the like, comprising a first platformrotatably mounted at an edge thereof for rotation about a first axisperpendicular to the plane of said platform; a second platform rotatablymounted upon and parallel to said first platform for rotation about asecond axis parallel to said first axis and spaced apart therefrom; athird platform rotatably mounted upon and parallel to said secondplatform for rotation about a third axis parallel to said first andsecond axes of rotation; at least one plurality of mutually concentricelectrical slip ring means, concentric with one of said second and thirdaxes of rotation for providing a plurality of electrical circuitconnections between the two mutually rotatable platforms associated withsaid axis of rotation.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which said third axisof rotation is spaced apart from said second axis.
 3. The device ofclaim 1 in which said third axis is spaced apart from said second axisby an amount less than the spacing between said first and second axes.4. The device of claim 1 in which said plurality of mutually concentricslip ring means comprises a first pair of slip ring connections for acoaxial cable circuit, and a second pair of mutually concentric slipring connections externally concentric of said first pair for a two-wirepower cable circuit.
 5. The device of claim 4 in which said first pairof slip ring connections comprises a first and secoNd mutuallyconcentric and axially spaced disc assembly, a respective one fixedlymounted on each of said two mutually rotatable platforms, each said discassembly including an outer metallic rim having an annular groove in thecircumferential edge thereof and at least one of them has a metalliccenter post electrically isolated from said outer metallic rim, a firstslip ring in electrical circuit with the annular groove of a first oneof said disc assemblies and electrically and mechanically connected tothe center post of said second disc assembly, a circuit post fixedlymechanically mounted upon that platform to which said first one of saidtwo disc assemblies is fixedly mounted, and a second slip ring inelectric circuit with the annular groove in said second disc assemblyand electrically and mechanically fastened to said circuit post.
 6. Thedevice of claim 1 in which there is provided a like plurality ofmutually concentric electrical slip ring means for each of said secondand third axis of rotation, said pluralities being interconnected inelectrical circuit.
 7. Articulated platform means for mountingelectrical equipment and comprising first and second platforms, mutuallyparallel and pivotally joined near first extremities thereof, about afirst axis, said second platform being shorter than said first platform,said first platform being adapted to be hingedly mounted at a secondextremity thereof about a second axis parallel to and displaced fromsaid first axis; a platform rotatably mounted upon said second platformupon a third axis of rotation parallel to and intermediate of said firsttwo axes of rotation, first and second slip ring means at a respectiveone each of said first and third axes and intercabled in electricalcircuit for allowing intercabling of an electrical power source and acoaxial antenna feedline with a TV set mounted on said third platform.